Organic Medicinal Herb Growing
One-day workshop
A practical introduction to growing medicinal herbs organically, at the Core College campus in Castlecomer
A practical introduction to growing medicinal herbs at the Core College campus in Castlecomer. Spend a day in the herb gardens learning how to cultivate, care for, and harvest the plants used in herbal medicine.
Available Dates
Friday, 19th June 2026
Friday, 4 September 2026
Duration
One day
Hours
9:30 am – 5:00 pm
Investment
€190 per person, or €115 with NOTS funding (see below)
A day in the medicinal herb garden
The Organic Medicinal Herb Growing workshop is a one-day course at the Core College campus in Castlecomer. It is a practical introduction to organic medicinal herb growing, designed for anyone who wants to start growing herbs at home, work more confidently with the plants they already have, or understand how medicinal herbs are cultivated and used.
You will spend the day in the Core College medicinal herb gardens with Heiko Klee, head gardener at the college, and Klaus Laitenberger, a specialist in organic gardening and author of three gardening books. You will learn how to prepare the ground for healthy growth, design a garden that supports medicinal plants, propagate from seeds, cuttings, and divisions, and care for established herbs through the seasons. The day includes a tour of the Core College herbal dispensary, where you will see how the plants are used in clinical practice.
No previous experience is needed.
What the day covers
A practical introduction to the foundations of organic herb growing, starting with soil. We will look at how to prepare the ground for healthy growth, how to design a garden that supports medicinal plants through the seasons, and how to build confidence with propagation techniques such as seeds, cuttings, and division.
A central part of the day is the care of established herbs and seasonal approaches to harvesting. You will see how well-known medicinal herbs are grown and tended, and how they are used in herbal medicine. A highlight of the day is a tour of the Core College herbal dispensary, where you will see how the plants you have been learning about are prepared into remedies for clinical use.
The principles of organic medicinal herb growing
Preparing the ground for healthy growth
Designing a medicinal herb garden
Propagation from seeds, cuttings, and division
Care of established herbs through the seasons
Harvesting and preserving medicinal plants
Profiles of well-known medicinal herbs and their uses
A tour of the Core College medicinal herb gardens
A tour of the Core College herbal dispensary
Who is this for?
The workshop is open to everyone. Beginners, home gardeners, herbal enthusiasts, and anyone wanting to start a small medicinal herb garden are all welcome. You do not need any background in gardening or herbal medicine. The day is designed to be practical, encouraging, and useful from the first hour to the last.
Taught by working practitioners
A one-day workshop is only as good as the people running it. The Organic Medicinal Herb Growing day is led by Heiko Klee and Klaus Laitenberger, two experienced gardeners who have spent years working with organic methods in Ireland.
Heiko Klee
Head gardener at Core College. Heiko has spent the past seven years focusing on medicinal herb cultivation in Ireland. He leads the development of the college's medicinal herb growing project, with a strong focus on organic methods suited to the Irish climate.
Klaus Laitenberger
Specialist in organic gardening and author of three gardening books. Klaus is a regular contributor to Irish Garden magazine and was central to the creation of the Core College gardens. He is passionate about organic growing and maintaining soil health, and is well known in Ireland as a teacher.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need any background in gardening or herbal medicine to attend?
1
No. The day is designed for beginners and anyone with a general interest in growing medicinal herbs. No previous knowledge is required.
What does the day actually involve?
2
A mix of teaching, hands-on garden work, and demonstrations, with a guided tour of the Core College medicinal herb gardens and the herbal dispensary.
What should I bring?
3
Comfortable clothes and footwear suitable for outdoor garden work. A notebook and a pen are useful. Herbal teas are provided throughout the day. There is a break at lunchtime, and there are places nearby in Castlecomer where students can have lunch.
Will I be able to start growing medicinal herbs at home after the day?
4
Yes. You will leave with a clear understanding of how to prepare the ground, choose suitable plants, propagate, and care for medicinal herbs through the seasons. The day is designed to give you confidence to start.
Next steps ❋
Course fee and NOTS funding
The course fee is €190 per person.
If you are employed or self-employed and resident in the Republic of Ireland, you may be eligible for 40% funding through the National Organic Training Skillnet (NOTS), bringing the fee to €115. Funding is administered directly by NOTS, not by Core College.
To book your place and apply for funding, please visit the NOTS website.